Dear Parents,
Head’sNote
The first day back at school is always a very special day. Even the heavy and frequent rain showers on Wednesday morning could not dampen our excitement as we welcomed pupils back to school after the long summer holidays It was wonderful to see the children’s beaming faces and hear their excitement as they shared their holiday adventures with friends and staff. It was especially lovely to welcome our new families to Castle Court, and it certainly brought back very happy memories of my first day with my sons, Jack and Harry, 9 years ago. How quickly that time has gone.
Our day started by gathering as a whole school community for assembly where we all sang ‘My Lighthouse’ Not only is this one of my favourite Castle Court hymns, the words and symbolism also resonate with all that Castle Court stands for. Just like a lighthouse, Castle Court is a beacon of safety, comfort and hope guiding our pupils as they navigate their way through the uncertainties and complexities of life, and is built on strong foundations that enables it to stand firm and steadfast. Hearing all the pupils booming out the lyrics to this hymn was such a joyful moment and was a wonderful way to mark the start of the term In my assembly, I used the Lionesses’ fantastic victory in the recent Euros to highlight the power of collective resilience and to demonstrate that through shared responsibility and a relentless focus on a shared goal you can achieve what at first might appear impossible
I have been delighted with the way all our pupils have started the term. There has been a wonderful supportive and positive atmosphere around the school, and I have loved seeing how the children have supported one another in the first few days back. I am particularly proud of the way our senior pupils are already rising to the challenge of being leaders within the school. This week they have thoroughly enjoyed developing their leadership skills through a wide range of activities as part of their Leadership Programme I am very excited about working closely with all the senior pupils throughout this year to develop their servant leadership skills.
As we start a new school year, I wanted to make you aware of some new staff roles within the school: I have restructured my Leadership Team and am delighted to announce that I have appointed Mr Lee Edmond as my Deputy Head Lee has a wealth of experience, having been at the school for 17 years, and I really value the wisdom and perspective he brings I am already enjoying working closely with him to ensure that Castle Court continues to deliver a wonderful educational provision for your children.
I am also delighted to announce that Mr Luke Gollings will be continuing at the school for the rest of this academic year in the role of Director of Operations and Business development. It is wonderful to be able to work closely with Luke again as we both share a deep love and commitment to the school. Mr Todd Bambrey has been appointed as Deputy Middle Section Leader and will be supporting Mrs Louise Munns in overseeing Years 3-6. I know that Todd will approach this new leadership role with the same enthusiasm and dedication he has shown throughout his 3 years here I really am incredibly blessed to have such a supportive and dedicated team working with me
There is certainly a lot to look forward to this term, s that matches start next week, and I am also looking evening will give you a chance to see the landscapin estate, meet your child’s teachers, catch up with frie sampling the wonderful food created by our caterin term as a whole Castle Court Family.
Wishing you and your family a lovely weekend.
Best wishes,
Katie
Head’sAwards
Head’s Awards are given out every Friday morning in assembly to children nominated by their class teacher or form tutor; the reasons for these are many and varied, including outstanding effort, overcoming difficulty, or helping a friend in need A huge congratulations for their efforts goes to
ParentCalendar forthenexttwoweeks
Monday 08 Sep
Tuesday 09 Sep
Wednesday 10 Sep
Thursday 11 Sep
Friday 12 Sep
Individual and Sibling Photos (Fraser Portraits)
16:45 After-School Activities begin
08:30 Year 2 Topic Exploration Session (with parents)
08:30 NO Community Choir - it starts next week
14:15 Years 3&4 matches with Port Regis
08:45 New Parents' IT induction, Boardroom
09:30 Charlie's Chimps, Family Lounge
14:15 Yr 5-8 Boys' Football & Girls' Hockey v Port Regis
08:30 Year 1 Topic Exploration Session (with parents)
13:00 Year 5-8 Sailing, Ringwood
14:30 EYFS Curriculum Seminar for Reception Parents
Boys Football - Sherborne Festival - Years 5&6
19:00 Castle Court Food Festival
Monday 15 Sep 2025
NGRT and NGST in Years 3-8
11:00 Year 6 Geography Trip to River Allen
16:30 Scholarship Information Evening
Tuesday 16 Sep 2025
Wednesday 17 Sep 2025
Thursday 18 Sep 2025
Friday 19 Sep 2025
Saturday 20 Sep 2025
IfyouhavechildreninBadgersor Cubsandwouldlikeasibling Kphoto,pleasebringyourchildrento nollHouseat8am.
sIfyouhavechildreninthemain choolwhoaresiblings,please aemailhmsec@castlecourt.comto Trrangeasiblingphoto. dhesewilltakeplace uringtheschoolday
Pleasekeepan eyeonyour emailsformore information aboutthese events.
08:30 Reception Topic Exploration Session (with parents)
08:30 Community Choir, Family Lounge
14:15 Year 3&4 matches with Clayesmore
Girls’ Hockey - Canford PrepFest U10 & U13
Boys’ U11 football at Moyles Court - start time TBC
09:30 Charlie's Chimps, Family Lounge
14:15 Yr 5-8 Boys' Football & Girls' Hockey v Clayesmore
09:00 Year 2 Trip to Brownsea Island
13:00 Year 5-8 Sailing, Ringwood
08:30 Parent Prayer Group, Boardroom
Poole and Bournemouth Grammar School Tests
tGoodluckto hosechildren sittingthese testson20 September
ParentNoticeboard
Charlie’sChimps
There are still places on Charlie’s Chimps for Reception and Year 1! For more information, please see wwwcharlieschimpscouk
If you would like a place for your child, please use this link
SchoolPhotographs
These are being taken onMonday If you have a child in the Nursery and you would like a sibling photograph, please bring your children to Knoll House at 8am. Other sibling photos will be taken during the day.Ifyouwouldlikeagroupphotoofyour children,pleasebookthisbyemailing hmsec@castlecourt.com
Activities
There is currently space on the ollowing activities: M day - Handball (Years 3-5) sday - Sailing (Years 5-8) sday - Karate (Years 4-6)
details can be found on SOCS. ould like to book your child in, please Edmond on ledmond@castlecourtcom
Pre-PrepGate
8Pleasenotethatthisgateisopenfrom .15am-8.30am.
Pleasedonotopenthe gateyourselfatanypointasthispresentsa ecurityandsafeguardingrisk. hildrenarrivingbefore8.15amshouldbe oughttoKnollHouseforbreakfastclub. ildrenarrivingafter8.30amshouldbe eughttotheoffice. hntsleavingafter8.30amshould keschoolsiteviatheoffice. youforyourunderstanding.
PerformingArts: alittlemoreinformation
Music
Individual music lessons will begin from next week The music timetables can always be found in the "links" section of EduLink under “Music Timetable”, together with other useful documents like the parents’ handbook for music. Pupils can also find the same documents using the same link. The timetables are also displayed in the music department so pupils can check their times when they arrive at school in the morning One point to highlight from the handbook is that it is understood that, when agreeing to music lessons at school, one 30-minute English, Maths and Science lesson will be missed each half term for each instrument learnt. Forpupilswholearninstrumentsoutsideofschool, please could you complete the Google form HERE to inform us of instruments they play, so they can be included in any relevant concerts in school.
TheoryLessons
ABRSM music theory lessons can be taken as an extra lesson in the same way as practical music lessons and are usually taught in various non-curriculum times. These cost £83.50 per term and are taught in small groups where pupils are grouped according to the grade they are studying Those pupils working towards ABRSM grade 5 on their instruments will need to pass grade 5 theory before taking higher grades on their instruments. Please contact Mr. Smith for further information (jsmith@castlecourt.com).
CCSCommunityChoir
This was greatly enjoyed by those who attended last year, and so I am re-starting rehearsals for this community singing group for parents on Tuesdays at 8.30am, starting on Tuesday 16th September Please come to the Main House after drop-off where tea/coffee will be available from 815am
No audition, no requirement to read music, no past singing experience necessary – just singing for fun! Repertoire to include all styles of music. Rehearsals throughout this term, working towards performances with the senior choir in the Harvest Festival service and the Carol Service, and in the spring term, hopefully working towards performance in spring concert. Please contact Mr. Smith (jsmith@castlecourt.com) or come along on the 16th to see what it's all about.
Dance
Senior Dance Clubs commence the week beginning 15 September – Years 5 and 6 Monday lunch time, Years 7 and 8 Friday lunch time - in the studio. All boys and girls are welcomebring your friends and embrace creativity and collaboration at Castle Court! We will celebrate the work in these clubs at the Performing Arts Presentation Evening in December Girls in Years 7 and 8 may find wearing sports skort/shorts useful for floor work. Any questions, please feel free to email Miss Tomblin (dtomblin@castlecourt.com).
Welldone,Charlie: Run2Renew
A huge well done to Charlie in Year 7, who was hard at work for his charity, Run2Renew, over the summer break in the Drakensberg Mountains near Johannesburg.
Over the last 6 months, Charlie and his family have been collecting used trainers and sports kit (thank you to all the families who donated), to donate to the children in South Africa who routinely do their ParkRuns in bare feet Charlie not only completed the 5k ParkRun but was also able to present each child with a pair of trainers and an item of clothing each at the end.
We are very proud of Charlie and were delighted to celebrate his success in assembly this week.
Year 3: SuccessinArts&Crafts
Over the summer, Year 2 (now Year 3) showed their Endangered Animal puppets at the Dorset Arts and Crafts festival.
We are dleighted to share that they won the Kirkus Challenge Cup for young people aged 7 years or under!
Mrs Sims is photographed with Imogen, receiving the cup. She did an amazing job of taking all the puppets and organising it all - thank you, Mrs Sims!
YoungGeographer oftheyear
This year’s task is to createanA3posterexploringatleastoneisland: its location its people its places its environments
The poster can be handmade (then submitted electronically using a scanned copy or photograph), or made electronically using PowerPoint, Canva, Word, Publisher or PDF.
Ideasforislands:
WhataretheRoyalGeographicalSociety lookingfor?
Eye-catching, innovative, informative and accurate submissions
A well-written and informative piece that demonstrates geographical knowledge and uses accurate geographical terminology
Any images used must be copyright free – you may choose to visit an island and take your own images
All images must be credited
Excellent attention to spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Original and independently produced - class sets of identical entries or entries which have copied information from other sources, such as the internet or AI, will not be accepted.
Entries must be produced by single pupils – no group entries allowed.
If produced electronically, please use a minimum font size of point 10.
Entries must not be 3D or have tabs or hidden information.
Local- Brownsea Island, Green Island, Long Island, Isle of Portland
National- Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Lundy Island, Scottish Islands, Islands on Lakes, Isle of Man
Global- Remote Islands (Artic/Antarctic), Tropical Islands (Pacific, Caribbean, Coral Reefs), Holiday Islands, Islands for defence...
Howtoenter:
All entries must be made as an online submission via the RGS website: https://www.rgs.org/ygoty2025.
The deadline for doing this is 3 October 2025; however, the RGS recommend submitting them in good time before this date.
Whocanenter?:
There is a category for Key Stage 2 (pupils aged 7-11) and for Key Stage 3 (pupils aged 11-14)
Badger Cubs
Badgers
KeyContacts atschool
Class Teachers / Form Tutors
Mrs Genge | Mrs Tomblin
Mrs Bartlett | Mrs Wilson
Reception Mrs Brewer | Mrs Speer
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Mrs Hanger | Mrs Zachariades/Mrs Wheildon
Mr Antell | Mrs Hellyer/Mrs Glenn
Mrs Baugniet | Mr Bambrey
Year 4 Dr Lippiatt/Mrs Deards | Mr Laidler
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Nursery
Pre-Prep
Years 3-6
Years 7&8
Mrs Vivian | Mrs Miller
Mrs Rule | Mr Jordan
Mrs Lea
Mr Phillips | Ms Thompson
Section Leaders
Mrs McSorley
Mr Antell
Mrs Munns
Ms Thompson
Heads of Department
English Ms Thompson
Maths Mrs Miller
Science Mrs Gallop
History
Geography
Mrs Rule
Mrs Chudley
Music Mr Smith
Art Miss Sinclair-Smith
DT Mr Phillips
Sport
Mr Fermor-Dunman
Yourfirstpointofcontact foranydaytoday rquestionsandenquiries elatedtoyourchild(ren) istheirtutororclass teacher.
Leadership Team
Mr Edmond Interim Deputy Head
Mr Dunsford Assistant Head (Pastoral)
Mrs Munns Director of Teaching & Learning
Mrs Robson Admissions & Marketing
SENDCo
Mrs Harmer
Absences: oPleasereportabsencestotheSchoolOfficeon ffice@castlecourtcomorbytelephoneto01202694438
MrsJohnson: hTomakeanappoointmenttoseeMrsJohnson,pleasecontact erPA,Hannah,onhmsec@castlecourtcomorusethe telephonenumberabove.